COLLEGES: New Haven begins spring football

Published 12:00 am, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

WEST HAVEN -- The University of New Haven has moved on from last season's heartbreaking 17-14 loss to Indiana (PA.) in the second round of the NCAA tournament, according to coach Pete Rossomando.

However, the coach does not want his team to forget about the loss entirely.

"As a coach you've got to move on," he said. "You've got to move on to the next opportunity, so that's what we're doing, but of course, it fuels you."

The Chargers will use that fuel during spring football as UNH had its first practice of the spring Wednesday.

The Chargers will play its annual spring game on Saturday, April 27 at Ralph DellaCamera Stadium at 10:30 a.m.

Starting quarterback Ronnie Nelson, who is a fifth-year senior, said he could not wait to get back out on the field.

And the senior will have a different cast of characters to throw to as star receivers Jason Thompson (16 TDs) and Demetrius Washington-Ellison (30 receptions) have graduated.

In addition to those losses, All-American quarterback Ryan Osiecki and tight end Kameel Lashley (14.7 yards per catch) have also departed from last season's Northeast-10 championship team.

Despite the departures, Rossomando said he expects good production from quarterbacks Nelson and Joe Bradley, a transfer from North Dakota, and wide receivers Nick Music, Henry Adegunle, Tyshaun Headen and Roshawn Wilson.

"Those are all names you're going to hear this fall," Rossomando said. "They're going to be competing for some serious playing time."

Nelson expects to have a good season, too

The quarterback was thrust into the starting lineup last season after Ryan Osiecki suffered an injury in Week 2.

The experience was beneficial for Nelson, as he passed for 987 yards and 18 touchdowns in 10 games and four starts.

"Knowing that I'm going in there with the first team, it's a good feeling," Nelson said.

And even though the Chargers have a young team, Rossomando is encouraged by the team's competitive fire.

"I've seen a lot of it in the winter in our competition drills, I think its going to carry over," he said. "I feel really, really positive about where we're headed."